Long before his jaw got broken, Tyler knew hunger and hardship. Life for the thin orange tabby on the streets of Staten Island was a constant struggle for food and a warm place to spend the night. Then he got hurt, probably struck by a car, and suddenly he was unable to eat or even rest his tired head without pain. Poor Tyler was in a desperate race against time. Jaw dangling, the cat wandered about, looking for someone - anyone - to make the throbbing in his face stop and the gnawing emptiness in his belly ease. How many people turned away when he plucked up his courage and came near, his eyes pleading for help? Long days and nights passed before Tyler stumbled into a backyard where a young woman was serving dinner to her feral colony.  In one glance, she took in the drool-soaked chin, matted chest, disheveled coat and wasted frame. At that moment, she made him a silent promise: “If you can get well, you won’t be alone anymore. This will be your home.” Tyler clearly needed extensive treatment, far more than the caretaker could afford, so she called Neighborhood Cats. We immediately agreed to help and brought Tyler to our veterinarian. There, x-rays revealed a symphyseal fracture; a break running down the center of his lower jaw, splitting it in two. Tyler’s suffering was compounded by advanced dental disease. Some of his teeth were broken, some were missing and the sockets where the teeth should have been were angry and inflamed. Prolonged malnutrition and stress had further weakened the tabby, allowing fleas to multiply until he was dangerously anemic from blood loss. He went right into surgery. His jaw was wired to keep the bone in place as it heals. His damaged teeth were removed and the massive infection in his mouth was treated. He came through it all like a champ and now Tyler is resting comfortably, eating soft food with gusto and – best of all – purring contentedly in his recovery kennel! It will be five more months before he’ll be strong enough to take his place in his new colony. During that time he’ll need a lot more care: medication for pain, antibiotics, rechecks, follow-up x-rays and, eventually, a final procedure to remove the wire from his jaw. There’s a long road ahead... but Neighborhood Cats also made Tyler a promise - to give him the very best medical care, every step of the way, so he can go on to the happy life he deserves. Will you help us keep that promise? Any gift, large or small, will help this gentle boy live his days in peace and safety. Please make a donation to save Tyler today   Tyler is one of many special cats being helped by Neighborhood Cats. Any funds received in excess of Tyler’s medical expenses will go towards saving other cats in need.

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